Drug Enforcement Administration

Hebbronville man guilty of smuggling nearly 130 pounds of marijuana

LAREDO, Texas – A 48-year-old resident of Hebbronville has entered a guilty plea to conspiring to possess with intent to deliver 58.5 kilograms of marijuana, announced DEA Houston Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Jaime Saul Benavides admitted he knowingly attempted to smuggle the narcotics through the a Border Patrol checkpoint.

On Aug. 11, Benavides attempted to drive a tan Chevrolet pick-up truck through the Border Patrol Checkpoint near Hebbronville. Upon arrival, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of concealed narcotics in the truck. Authorities conducted an X-ray examination which revealed anomalies in the truck’s diesel tank. They found a hidden trap door connecting the toolbox to the diesel tank which resulted in the discovery of nine bundles of marijuana. The drugs had a total weight of weighing 58.5 kilograms with an estimated street value of $48,000 Sentencing will be set at a later date before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña has At that time, Benavides faces up to 30 years in prison as well as a possible $2 million maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens is prosecuting the case.